Highfield Road Or The Ricoh ? (11 Viewers)

[pusbccfc]

It's a total no brainer for me.

Don't do the pubs and not bothered about any match day experience. Always been about the game for me.

At HR, it was drive up, park, go to the game, drive back home again.

At the Ricoh, it's walk, go to the game, go back home again.

On that basis and with the Ricoh being much the better stadium and with a much, much, much better view, it is the Ricoh all long for me.

I remember one season at HR having a ST and there was a pillar right in my line of vision for the goal at the West End.

Loads of poor views at HR and still a crappy atmosphere.

For me it is all about the game. Same too when I went to Wembley. Off the coach, straight to the stadium, watch the game and back to the coach.

It's a game of football and that's all I'm interested in.

Obviously different for everyone, but it's a total no brainer for me.

I agree with all of that. In terms of the viewing experience, the Ricoh is far better.

 

---

[Brylowes]

On the evidence so far ‘definitely Highfield Road BUT we’ve never had the benefit
Of the Ricoh in the Premier League.
On the odd occasions I’ve experienced the Ricoh at big games ie: Leeds, Blackburn
And Chelsea in the cup, homecoming against Gills etc the Ricoh atmosphere has
Been terrific,
But you can’t beat a proper old football ground.

 

[olderskyblue]

my thoughts, by my age, fwiw

Highfield Road

In my early teens, a great place to be. Catch the No 6 to Gosford Green, and walk to the match. Or 21 to town, hang around the town for a bit, then walk to the match.
Always in the west end, trying to avoid being crushed when we scored... and it seemed like it was the loudest crowd in the Country. After the game, walk home or catch the bus.

Late teens, similar, but in the pubs before the game. West end, trying to avoid being punched... Still the loudest crowd in the Country, and of course the "after the match" coming together with opposing fans. Bus or walk home.

Early 20's, drive and park near the ground. just 2 or 3 of us. Moved to the Spion Kop. Realised we were only the loudest crowd in the Country when you were actually in the west end, otherwise we were not that loud at all. Especially when we only had 11 or 12K fans there, and we were in the top league then !! Place was mostly soulless. A few great memories, but mostly dross. (The nostalgia factor seems to ignore all these times, even though it was pretty much the norm)

Late 20's to mid 30's. Kop, or any of the stands Drive and park. Try to avoid getting ambushed by gangs of opposing fans on the walk to the ground, and the same afterwards. A few memorable occasions, but mostly dross in an old and grubby stadium.

late 30's Started taking my son, so West Stand. he loved it, so that made my day even if the football was poor. (remember his first game. when we got home, mum asked him if he enjoyed it. he said it was great, saw so many goals. we lost 6-1 to Liverpool...) To queue for a drink or some grub at half time was useless unless you got down there 5 mins before the end of the half, and we never do that, so never got served in time before 2nd half started. There was a few seats down there though, useful when he was quite young.

Stayed like that for about 10 years or so, when he started finding other things to fill his week-ends, pubs, music, girls ... So back to me and my mate going on our own before eventually the move to the Ricoh. Still in West stand, moaning about getting drenched if it was raining before or after the game, or freezing on a winters day or night, and especially moaning about the game... :emoji_laughing: The ground was crap, the atmosphere usually crap, and the performances on the pitch mostly crap.

The Ricoh.

I like the stadium. Invested in a car park pass, so very short walk. good views from block 19 (row JJ) Better facilities. The match day experience for me hadn't changed much as didn't do the pubs anymore. Drive to the ground, park, watch match then home. (Only did the pubs on the away matches)

I think the Ricoh has been tainted by our owners, and the owners of the stadium. If CCFC owned it, would people feel differently?

 

[Skybluefaz]

It's all nostalgia, I saw city beat United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs etc at Highfield Road therefore it clearly holds better memories. Location wise it was obviously much better too. It didn't generate the atmosphere that some claim it used to because of the design of it.

 

[Nick]

HR for me all day.

That's with the Ricoh being much easier for me to get to.

 

[bringbackrattles]

It's a total no brainer for me.

Don't do the pubs and not bothered about any match day experience. Always been about the game for me.

At HR, it was drive up, park, go to the game, drive back home again.

At the Ricoh, it's walk, go to the game, go back home again.

On that basis and with the Ricoh being much the better stadium and with a much, much, much better view, it is the Ricoh all long for me.

I remember one season at HR having a ST and there was a pillar right in my line of vision for the goal at the West End.

Loads of poor views at HR and still a crappy atmosphere.

For me it is all about the game. Same too when I went to Wembley. Off the coach, straight to the stadium, watch the game and back to the coach.

It's a game of football and that's all I'm interested in.

Obviously different for everyone, but it's a total no brainer for me.

Sorry Otis but a match day experience should not just be about the match in my opinion. Yes the game is important, but the meeting up with fellow fans before a match for a drink and some banter adds to the day out surely ? When we were at Highfield Road and my dad was alive we'd arrange the night before where to meet, have a few pints, and enjoy having a chat and the walk to the ground. To me that's what's football is about irrespective of where we play.

 

[NortonSkyBlue]

Highfield Riad is my field of dreams, memories that define my life as a Coventry City supporter. From George Curtis to Andrew Whing and from Jimmy Greaves and George Best to Championship journeymen.
The world as moved on and we were left behind and we are tenants in our home built for us. Sadly I can't look beyond that.
Of course the Ricoh is better, just preferred HR.
I hope we can have reasons to fall asleep n love with the Ricoh.

 

[Otis]

Sorry Otis but a match day experience should not just be about the match in my opinion. Yes the game is important, but the meeting up with fellow fans before a match for a drink and some banter adds to the day out surely ? When we were at Highfield Road and my dad was alive we'd arrange the night before where to meet, have a few pints, and enjoy having a chat and the walk to the ground. To me that's what's football is about irrespective of where we play.

No offence, BBR, but surely the match day experience differs depending on the individual.

No match day experience is right or wrong, it is simply down to the individual and what appeals to them on a personal level.

Some turn up to the ground at 2.50 and some like me get there for around 2.15.

All down to personal choice.

 

[Nick]

No offence, BBR, but surely the match day experience differs depending on the individual.

No match day experience is right or wrong, it is simply down to the individual and what appeals to them on a personal level.

Some turn up to the ground at 2.50 and some like me get there for around 2.15.

All down to personal choice.

Isnt that just mainly down to location though? If the Ricoh was in Baginton for example would you prefer it?

 

[bringbackrattles]

No offence, BBR, but surely the match day experience differs depending on the individual.

No match day experience is right or wrong, it is simply down to the individual and what appeals to them on a personal level.

Some turn up to the ground at 2.50 and some like me get there for around 2.15.

All down to personal choice.

Fair enough Otis. A mate of mine often goes to the cinema on his own to watch a movie. I've never done that I'd feel a bit odd to be honest. But he loves it and couldn't give a toss what anybody thinks !

 

[Otis]

Isnt that just mainly down to location though? If the Ricoh was in Baginton for example would you prefer it?

Used to take me about 12 mins to drive to HR. Takes me just about 50 mins to walk to the Ricoh.

Used to arrive at HR around 2.15 and it's around 2.15 at the Ricoh, so no, nowt to do with the location, Nick.

If it was Baginton I would just leave earlier and still probably get there at around the same time.

 

[Otis]

Fair enough Otis. A mate of mine often goes to the cinema on his own to watch a movie. I've never done that I'd feel a bit odd to be honest. But he loves it and couldn't give a toss what anybody thinks !

Ah, done that, but hate it and I do give a toss what everyone else thinks in that scenario. Ha!

Done it about 3 times, but once was only because my daughter was in the film and I wanted to see it the very first day it came out.

 

[Astute]

Ricoh for me. There are houses in the way of HR now. Would ruin the game.

 

[Otis]

Ricoh for me. There are houses in the way of HR now. Would ruin the game.

Yeah, true. I used to have a pillar in front of me before and now I think it might well be quite a bit worse.

 

[bringbackrattles]

Ah, done that, but hate it and I do give a toss what everyone else thinks in that scenario. Ha!

Done it about 3 times, but once was only because my daughter was in the film and I wanted to see it the very first day it came out.

He said he goes in the afternoons,gets cheap deals or something. But once he said the lights came on at the interval and an ex girlfriend of his was with a bloke just a couple of rows behind him. He decided to leave then, now that would be uncomfortable !

 

[Terry_dactyl]

Ah, done that, but hate it and I do give a toss what everyone else thinks in that scenario. Ha!

Done it about 3 times, but once was only because my daughter was in the film and I wanted to see it the very first day it came out.

Now there’s a backstory I haven’t got close to hearing about! What film was it?

 

[Seamus1]

Ah, done that, but hate it and I do give a toss what everyone else thinks in that scenario. Ha!

Done it about 3 times, but once was only because my daughter was in the film and I wanted to see it the very first day it came out.

One of the Nativity! films?

 

[olderskyblue]

He said he goes in the afternoons,gets cheap deals or something. But once he said the lights came on at the interval and an ex girlfriend of his was with a bloke just a couple of rows behind him. He decided to leave then, now that would be uncomfortable !

I was at the cinema once and a girl I fancied came and sat in front of me. It was worse as she was with her husband. Worse still as I was with my wife !! ;-)

 

[Otis]

Now there’s a backstory I haven’t got close to hearing about! What film was it?

Macbeth. The one with Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard.

She doesn't speak in the film, but sang in it and has a close up where Marion Cotillard puts a garland around her neck. Filmed for 5 days on that I think.

 

[Terry_dactyl]

Macbeth. The one with Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard.

She doesn't speak in the film, but sang in it and has a close up where Marion Cotillard puts a garland around her neck. Filmed for 5 days on that I think.

That’s really great. I bet you’re well chuffed.

 

[Otis]

That’s really great. I bet you’re well chuffed.

Yeah. It's really cool, but then some are a waste of time. She worked 25 days on Pan and none of the kids made the final cut at all.

Happens a lot.

 

[Deleted member 5849]

I remember one season at HR having a ST and there was a pillar right in my line of vision for the goal at the West End.

Did you pay extra for that?

 

[Deleted member 5849]

I think the Ricoh has been tainted by our owners, and the owners of the stadium. If CCFC owned it, would people feel differently?

I don't think I would, but then I'm not a fan of the flatpack stadia we get nowadays, anyway.

Remember going to Reading and their newish ground back in the day. Everyone raved about it, I found it all a bit boring, and dull getting bussed in and out too. Give me a Selhurst Park any day of the week.

 

[Otis]

Did you pay extra for that?

I would have done if it hadn't had been quite so lumpy.

 

[Covstu]

Plonk the Ricoh directly where highfield road was, take the corners out and throw rubbish everywhere and we’ll be onto a winner.

It’s all about location for me, and the surrounding area at the Ricoh is shite. Yes Hillfields wasn’t a looker but pubs, walking distance to town and the station.

Same as this, location is the key and this is why Leicester got theirs right and we didn’t. We used to have a few beers locally or in town and walk to the game. It’s a lot more difficult to do this at the Ricoh from my own experience.

HR was a shit hole in the end but it was our shit hole!

 

[Grendel]

Many times we have had this debate. Nostalgia is one thing but reality is another. The Ricoh is by far a better stadium and that includes it's amenities,it's location and when nearer capacity a fantastic atmosphere. Sadly we have had few of those due to our current plight.
It's also tainted for all of us by the schenanigans off the field,from owners to shocking decisions by the council and ultimate control by a Rugby club making it feel like someone else's home and not ours to some extent.
If we get back to a top 6 postion or the premeir league the crowds will grow dramatically and we will need the Ricoh more than we need it now.
The only 'soulous' part of all this is our current owners. Lets hope a good outcome is still a possibility in the courtroom drama and we get some ownership rights back. From there and improved performance on the pitch back to the Championship I beleive will see them sell and recoup some of their so called disaterous investment and put and end to their tenure.

What are you on about? Location is a disaster. Facilities are actually worse than Highfield Road in terms of getting a drink at half time. The amenities are a joke.

 

[Grendel]

No offence, BBR, but surely the match day experience differs depending on the individual.

No match day experience is right or wrong, it is simply down to the individual and what appeals to them on a personal level.

Some turn up to the ground at 2.50 and some like me get there for around 2.15.

All down to personal choice.

I turn up 5 minutes before kick off and Highfield Road was a far far better location than this nonsense place on the edge of the City

 

[ajsccfc]

HR was more convenient as a location for me, but the thing I liked otherwise is that it was surrounded by people and houses so felt part of an area, whereas the Ricoh and other similar grounds are isolated behemoths

 

[pusbccfc]

I think the Ricoh is the best of those modern bowl stadiums.

It's a far taller and steeper stadium than Leicester and Southampton which are all but identical.

 

[speedie87]

Highfield road - the atmosphere was much better, parking easier & cheaper, plus the club owned it!!!

Parking was easier at highfield road?!

 

[play_in_skyblue_stripes]

Ricoh Arena much better than Highfield Road. I prefer it.

Saying that how good were the days going before and after game at Brew and Baker?

 

[matesx]

Ricoh Arena much better than Highfield Road. I prefer it.

Saying that how good were the days going before and after game at Brew and Baker?

Loved that pub, always lots of friendly "ladies" outside too of a midweek game.

 

[play_in_skyblue_stripes]

Highfield Road
Sixfields
Ricoh

:smuggrin:

Not seeing the funny side of this.

 

[I_Saw_Shaw_Score]

Not seeing the funny side of this.

Oh well.

 

[Otis]

I turn up 5 minutes before kick off and Highfield Road was a far far better location than this nonsense place on the edge of the City

But you seemed happy before to move and play at Meriden or Solihull or wherever it was, or 10's of miles away from Coventry. What about Meriden as a loaction for the vast majority of supporters?

It is what it is. I have never moaned about it. If we move to Baginton, we move to Baginton and I will just go and watch them there.

I don't get what the moaning is for. We were at HR and I watched them there. They moved to the Ricoh and I watched them there. If we move somewhere else on the outskirts of the city I will watch them there.

After all these years I don't get why anyone would still be moaning about the location. The football is the number one thing. Much further for me to travel (parking restrictions make it thus), but I have never moaned. Took me 50 mins to walk on Saturday and if that's what I have to do, that's what I have to do.